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Final Tune-Up for the Postseason
 Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:58 pm
Currently listening to Rover Radio
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We continued to fine tune for the playoffs in this sim and a lot of the success from the previous sim carried over as we extended our winning streak to 12 games before resting our top scorers for the final two games. We also attempted to retain tryout goaltender Chris Madden by signing him away from the Huntsville Havoc without a clear understanding of the transfer rules, but more on that later.
March 30th vs. Toronto
On the road in Toronto, the Penguins put together a solid 5-2 victory. Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers (22-14-4) stopped 17 of 19 shots. He was backed by goals by Bryce Lampman (6), Andrei Nikolishin (13), Micki DuPont (11), Jassen Cullimore (6), and Marty Murray (22) The Penguins outshot the Marlies 30-19 and converted 2 of 10 powerplays. We were 5 for 6 on the penalty kill.
After the game we recalled Sean O'Connor from Wheeling and sent down Paul Bissonnette who just can't seem to get it going this season.
March 31st vs. Hershey
Madden (4-0-0) captained the Pens to their 3rd straight shootout win, this time over Hershey, after a 3-3 tie. Madden stopped 22 of 25 over the first 65 minutes. Micki DuPont (12,13) was the offensive star of the game scoring two goals, including one with just 1:25 to go in the game, and assisting on one other. Lampman (7) got Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on the board late in the first and had two assists. Jonathan Filewich assisted on all three goals. The Penguins outshot the Bears but converted 0 of 5 powerplay opportunities. We were 3 for 4 on the penalty kill.
#10 - Micki DuPont
After the game it was decided to offer Madden a $35K salary to stay with the team for the rest of the year as well as a $55K salary for the following season and a $5K signing bonus. We also offered Sean O'Connor on a loan to Wheeling to attempt to get $4.2K back for his services.
April 1st vs. Toronto
A frustrating game which came extremely close to being one of our worst losses of the season was turned around with 13 seconds left in the game when Filewich (24) found the back of the net on a 6 on 4 advantage. In overtime, Phil Hartman (13) made it worthwhile as he converted a 4 on 3 man advantage into a game winner. Drouin-Deslauriers (23-14-4) made 20 saves out of 23 chances and Murray (23) and Maxime Talbot (10) scored game tying goals over the course of the 2nd period. The Penguins outshot the Marlies 50-23 and converted 2 of 8 powerplay opportunities. We were 3 for 5 on the penalty kill.
After the game, we got the news that our contract finagling had been accepted by all interested parties...except the league. Apparently the trade deadline in Mid-March goes for signings and loans as well. Madden's acceptance said that he would be transferred on June 15th which was a huge disappointment. As a result, I rescinded the offer. Looks like it's the Drouin-Deslauriers and Beauchemin show from here on out for better or worse.
April 4th vs. Binghamton
7,054 came to see another solid win against a subpar opponent in Binghamton. Strangely enough, the Penguins were outshot in the game despite dressing a top offensive lineup but were able to convert at a higher percentage in a 4-2 victory. A 3-0 lead built by Ryan Stone (10), Nikolishin (14), and Lampman (8) almost vaporized late in the 3rd before Murray's 24th of the year iced it with 3:45 to go. Drouin-Deslauriers (24-14-4) made 22 saves on 24 shots to earn the victory. The Penguins were outshot by the Senators 24-21 and converted 1 of 7 powerplay opportunities. We were 6 for 7 on the penalty kill.
April 6th vs. Philadelphia
Three of our last five games would be against Philadelphia and a 5-3 victory, our 10th straight, was a nice way to enter that stretch of schedule. Drouin-Deslauriers (25-14-4) didn't play great, but he played well enough with 20 saves. He didn't allow a goal over the final 27:07 of the game after Philadelphia tied it at 3. Nikolishin (15), Murray (25), and Carcillo (32) continued to their hot streaks to stake Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to that 3-2 lead. Jeff Campbell would eventually be the hero, notching his 25th and 26th of the year over 7 minutes apart in the 3rd period to create a comfortable margin. The Penguins outshot the Phantoms 35-23 and converted 1 of 7 powerplay opportunities. We were 6 for 7 on the penalty kill.
April 7th vs. Manchester
Wary about facing top goalie Jason LaBarbera who embarrased Penguin shooters in the previous meeting, I went into this one with expectations lowered and certain veterans out of the lineup. I was pleasantly surpised by other sources of offense including Mitch Maunu (11,12) who led all scorers with 2 goals. Stone added two assists to go with goals by Rob Hisey (10), Les Haggett (18), and Nikolishin's (16) 4th in the last 6 games. Rejean Beauchemin (6-1-0) made a rare appearance and stopped 21 of 22 shots to increase his stock heading into the postseason. The Penguins outshot the Monarchs 36-22 and converted 2 of 5 powerplay opportunities. We were 10 for 10 on the penalty kill.
After the game, teams who were not part of the playoff field of 16 began to send down players to their AHL affiliates involved in playoff chases. We received former Penguin Zach Stortini from Edmonton to fill the slot they had left open since the Neckar trade to Buffalo. Other teams made out far better. Once believed to be fading Bridgeport got three of their stars back for the final 3 games and the playoffs with Peter Mackie (86 points in 58 games) headlining the group along with Andrej Sekera.
April 11th vs. Philadelphia
This would be the last regular season game we'd take seriously this season and despite not applying a lot of pressure on the Phantoms, key shots went in in a 4-2 victory. Campbell (27,28) keyed the attack with first period goals while Hartman (14), and Petr Freiberg (20) chipped in during the 2nd. Drouin-Deslauriers (26-14-4) stopped 19 of 21, both coming coming during Philadelphia powerplays. The Penguins were outshot by the Phantoms 21-20 but converted 2 of 6 powerplay opportunities. We were 8 for 10 on the penalty kill.
#55 - Jeff Campbell
April 13th vs. Philadelphia
The final two games of the year could only be described as bringing a knife to a gunfight. We sat as many of our highest rated players as we could in this one and after falling behind 5-0, encouraged many of our players to start fights. Paul Bissonnette and Justin Donati took us up on that offer and both received 17 minutes of penalties for their troubles. Donati had the stones to go up against Penguin and fighting legend Dennis Bonvie. I'll have to check on the outcome sometime but I have a pretty good idea how that one went. Carcillo (33) and Hartman (15) scored late meaningless goals and Beauchemin (6-2-0) got smacked around to the tune of 5 goals on 20 shots before being lifted for Drouin-Deslauriers who stopped all 3 shots he saw. Despite all this, the Penguins outshot the Phantoms 35-23 but converted 0 of 4 powerplay opportunities. We were 8 for 10 on the penalty kill.
April 14th vs. Binghamton
The final game of the year brought out a sellout crowd of 8,143 to see the playoff bound Penguins, but GM Bob Williams disappointed everyone by sitting the entire second line and platooning goaltenders in a 4-3 defeat. Beauchemin started the game but allowed a goal on the 7th shot he faced early in the 2nd period. Drouin-Deslauriers (26-15-4) was inserted to stay sharp and didn't play well, letting in 3 out of 15. Newcomer Zach Stortini notched his first Penguin goal of the season to give the home team a 1-0 lead early. Two goals by Libor Pivko (18,19), the usual odd veteran out, gave the Pens a 3-2 lead early in the 3rd which they promptly coughed up. The Penguins outshot the Senators 35-22 and converted 1 of 4 powerplay opportunities. We were a dreadful 4 for 6 on the penalty kill.
Well we go into the playoffs without a real playoff goaltender, but we think we can score enough to get by Albany who we went 4-2-2 against during the regular season, outscoring them 29-17 in the process. Bridgeport had shown some signs of weakness before their reinforcements arrived and the entire Atlantic (I call it New England) Division is weak compared to the rest of the league. Its possible one of our goaltenders could catch fire and we make a run at eventual demolition by the Amerks in the Calder Cup finals. We did score the 3rd most goals in the league (Rochester, Bridgeport) and were penalized the 2nd least (Rochester).
LEAGUE REPORT (04/15/2008):
With the regular season complete, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton stands alone in 2nd place at 47-26-7. Bridgeport (59-19-2) finished in 1st place, 19 points ahead. Our first round playoff opponentAlbany (45-28-7) finished with 97 points, 4 fewer than us. Rounding out the East Division playoff participants is Hershey (42-31-7) with 91 points.
Other Division Winners:
Atlantic - Springfield (43-30-7) 93 Points
North - Rochester (70-7-3) 143 Points
West - Chicago (54-18-8) 116 Points
TEAM LEADERS (Active):
Goals: Daniel Carcillo - 33
Assists: Jeff Campbell - 47
Points: Jeff Campbell - 75
+/-: Jeff Campbell - +25
PIM: Daniel Carcillo - 234
Shots: Jeff Campbell - 226
Shot Pct: Libor Pivko - 26.8%
Rating (skater): Jassen Cullimore - 8.47
Daniel Carcillo is tied for 28th in the AHL in goals.
Jeff Campbell is tied for 20th in the AHL in assists.
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